About Me
Hailed by the New York Times as "a tenor saxophonist with an enigmatic,elegant and hard-driving style," J.D. Allen is one of the most thoughtful jazz saxophonists on the scene today.
The Detroit natives apprenticeship has largely been in New York,where he has performed, recorded, and toured with legends Lester Bowie,George Cables, Betty Carter,Louis Hayes , Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster Big Band, Winard Harper, Butch Morris, David Murray, Wallace Roney, andcontemporaries Cindy Blackman, Orrin Evans, Marcus Gilmore, Russell Gunn,and Me'shell N'degeocello, Dave Douglas among others.
J.D.'s debut album, In Search Of... (red records), won him the Best NewArtist award in Italy in 1999, and had reviewers praising him for his original compositions and bold playing. That same year J.D. began touring and recording with drummer Cindy Blackman's Quartet, where he remains a member.
His second release, Pharoah's Children (Criss Cross), won him accoladesfor its thoughtfulness, maturity, and adventurousness. One of JazzizMagazine's Critics Pics Top 10 Albums of the Year, the album was praised in the U.S. and Europe, along with leading musicians, such as Michael Brecker and Jeff "Tain" Watts.
Since making a strong impression in his early years in New York at venueslike Smalls, Village Gate, and Visiones, and serving an invaluable tenurewith Betty Carter, J.D. has come a long way, now fully possessed of his ownsound. J.D. has appeared on NPR's Jazz Perspectives, WNYC's Soundcheck,WKCR's Musician's Show and is a member of the Romare Bearden HomecomingJazz All-Star Band.
J.D. Allen performs regularly with his own trio.
